South Cambridgeshire

South Cambridgeshire's population expanded in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure and work life.

The population reached nearly 150,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of South Cambridgeshire increased by 14%, from just over 130,000 to 149,000.

The addition of almost 19,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Cambridgeshire was home to, on average, 1.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older South Cambridgeshire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of South Cambridgeshire increased by two years, from 39 to 41 years.

This affluent rural area had a slightly higher average age than Eastof England and remained slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 5,700 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 200.

About 12% of people in South Cambridgeshire are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and South Cambridgeshire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of South Cambridgeshire residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 5.6% to 3.2% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (86%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 75% in 2001. The percentage of South Cambridgeshire residents that described their health as fair decreased from 19% to 11%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in South Cambridgeshire decreased by 2.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in South Cambridgeshire, Eastof England and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in South Cambridgeshire

The percentage of South Cambridgeshire residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 90% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.6%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.0% in 2001. The percentage of South Cambridgeshire residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.9% to 7.5%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (which remained close to 90%). Across England, the percentage remained close to 90%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in South Cambridgeshire, but at a slower rate than across Eastof England.

In South Cambridgeshire, the proportion of private renting increased from 8.1% in 2001 to 12% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 8.6% to 15%.

Across Eastof England, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.6% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in South Cambridgeshire remained close to 14%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 75% to 70%.

Private renting in South Cambridgeshire increased by 3.9 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Cambridgeshire, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in South Cambridgeshire working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 15% to 12% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (2.9%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 2.0% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 15% in 2001 to 11% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in South Cambridgeshire decreased by 3.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in South Cambridgeshire, Eastof England and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links